Some buyers failing to receive report until weeks after purchase

Estate agents in England and Wales are failing to sell properties with a home information pack included, according to a new investigation.

The Law Society has found that since Hips were made mandatory a year ago, buyers have had to wait weeks after buying a property before they are made available.

It is believed that in the present market sellers are reluctant to pay as much as £400 for the packs, which include an energy performance certificate and recent planning and building consents.

Independent reports have found that up to one in 10 properties are being sold without the pack included.

Paul Marsh, president of the Law Society, said: “The evidence we're receiving from right across the country, be it Cornwall, London or the North-east of England, is that solicitors are not receiving a Hip when the deal is struck.”

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